Bulldozer



Jan. 19, 1943. 1-. R. PAULSEN 2,308,535

' BULLDOZER Filed Sept. 4, 1941 2 Sheen-Sheet 1 imas fimawb,

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 19, 1943. 1". R. PAULSEN BULLDOZER Filed Sept. 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented" Jan. 19, 1943 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE BULLDOZER Thomas R. Paulsen, South Milwaukee, Wis., as

signor to Bucyrus-Erie Company, South Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application September 4, 1941, Serial No. 409,555

8 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in tractor operated bulldozers, more particularly to an improved means for connecting the landsides with the earth moving blade whereby the blade may be tilted about the longitudinal axis of the tractor and secured at selected tilting angles.

A present form of such a blade tilting adjust ment means comprises a T-shaped block, on the forward end of the landside, dovetailed and adapted to slide vertically within an arcuate C- shaped rail-or bracket on the back of the earth moving blade. Sliding the C-rail over the T shaped landside block effects tilting of the blade. Heretofore the c-rail has been secured against sliding at any selected point by a wedge which has been inserted between the forward end of the landside andthe terminal surfaces of the C- rail. The wedge method of securing the blade at a given tilting angle is objectionable because the wedge is liable to wear and slip out, and because the terminal surfaces of the C-shaped rail must be machined in order to secure proper functional engagement with the wedge.

Accordingly it is a principal object of my invention to provide means whereby the bulldozer blade may be locked in selected tilted positions by a simple tooth and notch, or latch means, located between the landside and the blade.

Another object of my invention is to provide a connecting and locking means which is inexpensive to manufacture and does not require accurate machining.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tilting and locking means which may be manually controlled by one man without expensive and complicated hydraulic apparatus.

In addition to the objects above stated, I have worked out a number of novel and useful details, which will be readily evident as the description progresses.

My invention consists in the novel parts, and in the combination and arrangement thereof, which are defined in the appended claims, and of which two embodiments are exemplified in the accompanying drawings, which are hereinafter particularly described and explained.

Throughout the description, the same reference number is applied to the same member or to similar members.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a bulldozer showing the blade, the U-shaped supporting frame, and

to Figure 3, but showing another embodiment of my invention.

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view similar to Figure 4, but showing the embodiment of Figure '5, taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged rear elevation of a portion of the left hand one of the T-shaped tracks on the back of the bulldozer blade, showing a particular type of notch.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, we see that H represents a conventional U-shaped bulldozer supporting frame which serves to mount the bull- 'dozer blade 12 forwardly of a tractor (not shown). The rear ends l3 of the side arms M of the U-frame are usually pivotally connected to the sides of the tractor (not shown) so that the U-frame may be raised and lowered about the horizontal transverse axis of the tractor (not shown). The bulldozer blade I2 is disposed transversely of the frame II in advance of the front portion I5 of the U-frame. It is mounted to be swung in a normally horizontal plane about the axis of the king pin l6 which extends vertically through rearwardly projecting spaced lugs I! on the back of the bulldozer blade l2 and through a swivel block l8 positioned between said lugs H. The swivel block l8 has formed integral therewith or otherwise secured thereto a rearwardly extending stud bolt or pin l9 which loosely fits in a hole in the front portion l5 of the frame ll, there being a retaining collar 20 and pin 2| (or other equivalent means) to hold the block I8 against the frame portion l5. Since the pin it! is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame H and at a right angle to king pin IE, it serves as a pivot on which the bulldozer blade l2 may be tilted in a vertical plane about said longitudinal axis.

Accordingly it is seen that the bulldozer blade.

I! may be swung in a horizontal plane into selected positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the frame II; and it may be tilted in a vertical plane into selected positions with respect to the horizontal transverse axis of said frame.

integral tooth 3|, is a latch a: pivotally mounted on the landside and casting 23 by means of the In order to retain the bulldozer blade in a given position in the horizontal plane, channel retaining bars 22, known to the trade as landsides? are provided between the side arms I4 and the ends of the bulldozer blade II. The rear end of each landside 22 carries a pin 23 which is receivable in one of holes 24 longitudinally spaced along each side arm l4. The landside end casting 25 on the forward end of each landside 22 carries a C-shaped adjusting block 26 which dovetails with and slides vertically over a. T-shaped arcuate rail 21 (with center of curvature at the center of pin l9) secured to the back of the bulldozer blade at each end thereof. The C-shaped adjusting block 26 is pivotally mounted on the landside end casting 25 by means of the bolt 28 (or other suitable means) to permit swinging about a vertical axis.

In order to retain the bulldozer blade |2 in a given tilted position in its normally vertical plane, I have provided the arcuate rails 21 with peripherally spaced notches 29 which extend radially across the face of the heads 30 of each rail 21 and are adapted to receive locking means such as a latch means in the form of a tooth 3| integral with the landside 22 (see Figures 3 and 4) or a latch bar 32 pivoted on the landside 22 (see Figures and 6). By latch means it is understood that I mean any bar, tooth, latch or other equivalent movable piece which is adapted to enter selected notches 29 to lock the rails 21 against vertical movement relative to the landsides 22. For example, the tooth 3| on the end of the landside 22, and integral therewith, is such a latch means because it is swingable about the vertical axis of pin 28 so that it may engage a selected notch 29 and perform the above mentioned looking function. Similarly latch bar 32. Furthermore it is understood that my invention is not limited to any particular number or to any particular arrangement of latches and/or notches, nor to any particular form of sliding interlock between the landside and bulldozer blade. To avoid confusion, I have shown merely certain simple illustrative embodiments of my invention.

When the locking means consists of a forwardly projecting tooth 3|, which may be integral with the landside end casting 25, the following procedure is necessary in order to change the tilt of the bulldozer blade |2 about the swivel pin l9. The rear end of each landside 22 is disengaged by pulling out the pin 23 and each landside is swung laterally outwardly on pivot pin 28 until each tooth 3| is disengaged from its notch 3| and clear of the rail head 30 so that each T- shaped rail 21 is free to run through the C-shaped adjusting block- 26 with which it is dovetailed. The blade i2 is then tilted about swivel pin IS (the landsides 22 being held fast in a horizontal plane by any suitable independent means) until another pair of notches corresponding to the desired tilt position come into horizontal alignment with the teeth 3|, whereupon the blade |2 may be locked in position by swinging landsides 22 inward into engagement with side arms ll of the frame II. It is seen that the blade I2 will then be locked against tilting relative to the frame ll, since each tooth 3| is rigid with the landside 22 and the top and bottom flanges of each channelled landside fit over the'corresponding side arm ll of the U-frame Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, it is seen that an alternative locking means. in place of the vertical pivot pin 23. The advantage of this modification of my invention is that the adjusting block 23 may be unlocked by simply turning the handle 33 of the latch bar inwardly about pivot pin 28 (see Figure 6) to swing the latch 32 out of engagement with the notch 23, and it.is unnecessary to disconnect and swing outwardly the heavy landsides 22 and hold them in a horizontal plane while the blade is tilted into its new position. The latch 32 may be held in locked position by any suitable means such as a spring 34 (see Figures 5 and 6) or a ridge 35 at the entrance of the notch 29 (see Figure 7) there being suilicient play in the pin connections 23 to permit the latch to be lifted over the ridge. Figure 7 should be compared with the left-hand T-shaped track shown in Figure 2. In the device in Figure 7. slots 29, instead of being open clear across as in Figure 2, extend only part way across, being closed at the right. And, at the left, each slot 29 is partially closed by ridge 35.

Having now described and illustrated a number of forms of my invention, I wish it to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts herein described and shown, except as specifically covered by my claims.

I claim:

1. In a bulldozer, the combination of: a supporting frame; a blade pivotally mounted thereon to tilt about the longitudinal axis of the frame; a landside; a forwardly projecting tooth, rigid with the landside; means removably connecting the rear end of the landside to a side portion of the frame; means slidably connecting the forward portion of the landside to the blade to permit said tilting; said second means comprising interlocked arcuate track members, the center of curvature ofthe arcuate track members lying on the tilting axis; one track member being pivotally mounted on the landside to swing, with respect to the landside, about a vertical axis; the other track member being rigidly mounted on the blade and having longitudinally spaced transverse notches adapted to receive the tooth.

2. In a bulldozer, the combination: a supporting frame; a blade pivotally mounted thereon to tilt about the longitudinal axis of the frame; a landside; a forwardly projecting tooth, carried by the landside; means removably connecting the rear end of the landside to a side portion of ,the frame; means slidably connecting the forward portion of the landside to the blade to permit said tilting; said second means comprising interlocked arcuate track members, the center of curvature of the arcuate track members lying on the tilting axis; one track member being pivotally mounted on the landside to swing with respect to the landside, about a vertical axis; the other track member being rigidly mounted on the blade and having longitudinally spaced transverse notches adapted to receive the tooth.

3. In a bulldozer, the combination of: a supporting frame; a blade pivotally mounted thereon to tilt about the longitudinal axis of the frame; a landside; a forwardly projecting tooth, pivotally supported by the landside to swing about a vertical axis; means removably connecting the rear end of the landside to a side portion of the frame; means slidably connecting the forward portion of the landside to the blade to permit said tilting; said second means comprising interlocked arcuate track members, the center of curvature of the arcuate track members lying on the tilting axis; one track member being pivotally mounted on ie-landside to swing, with respect to the landside, about a vertical axis; the other track member being rigidly mounted on the blade and having longitudinally spaced transverse notches adapted to receive the tooth.

4. A bulldozer according to claim 7, further characterized by having means to maintainthe tooth in engagement with said notches.

5. A bulldozer according to claim '7, further characterized by having spring means to maintain the tooth in engagement with said notches.

6. In a bulldozer, the combination of: a supporting frame; a blade pivotally mounted thereon to tilt about the longitudinal axis of the frame; a landside; a'forwardly projecting tooth, rigid with the landside; means removably connecting the rear end of the landside to a side portion of the frame; means slidably connecting the forward portion of the landside to the blade to permit said tilting; said second means comprising interlocked members; one such member being pivotally mounted on the landside to swing, with respect to the landside, about a vertical axis; the other member being an arcuate track rigidly mounted on the blade, having its center of curvature on the tilting axis, and having longitudinally spaced transverse notches adapted to receive the tooth.

7. In a bulldozer, the combination of: a supporting frame; a blade pivotally mounted thereon to tilt about the longitudinal axis of the frame; a landside: a forwardly projecting tooth, pivotally supported by the landside to swing about a vertical axis; means removably connecting the rear end of the landside to a side portion of the frame; means slidably connecting the forward portion of the landside to the blade to permit said tilting; said second means comprising interlocked members; one such member being pivotally mounted on the landside to swing with respect to the landside, about a vertical axis; the other member being an arcuate track rigidly mounted on the blade, having its center of curvature on the tilting axis, and having longitudinally spaced transverse notches adapted to receive the tooth.

8. In a bulldozer, the combination of: a supporting frame; a blade pivotally mounted thereonto tilt about the longitudinal axis of the frame; a landside; a forwardly projecting tooth, carried by the landside; means removabiy connecting the rear end of the landside to a side portion of the frame; means slidably connecting the forward portion of the landside to the blade to permit said tilting; said second means comprising interlocked members; one such member being pivotally mounted on the landside to swing with respect to the landside, about a vertical axis; the other member being an arcuate track rigidly mounted on the blade, having its center of curvature on the tilting axis, and having longitudinally spaced transverse notches adapted to re ceive the tooth.

THOMAS R. PAULSON. 

